The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1887-06-22
HIS HONOR THE JUDGE,

MY visit To TINS rough mining town
was matter of business, and | was
somewhat annoyed to find that the
people were inclined to talk of nothing
but the killing of Henry Saxon and the
trial of his murderer.
But the story of the crime interested
me in spite of myself. The murder
had occurred in the Metropolitan
engaged room for week.
The scene of the killing was the
room next to mine. Several days be-
fore my arrival the room was occupied
by John Luff and Henry Saxon, two
well-known sporting men, who had
been making Silverton their headquar-
tiers during the winter The two were
chums, but sometimes they quarreled
in their cups, and it was no uncommon
thing for them to fight. After adjust
ing their differences, however, they
generally tumbled into the same bed
and slept like brothers. Their last
quarrel had fatal termination. After
a bout with their fists in the hotel office
they retired to their room. Later in
the night a loud shout caused several
of the guests to rush in, and they saw a
spectacle that froze their blood On
the bed was stretched the lifeless form
of Saxon, with a crimson current gush-
ing from his breast. BY his side stood
Luff, one hand still bloody, and his
manner betraying ungovernable fear
and excitement
The Silverton miners and tradesmen
were not long in coming to conclu-
sion. The coroner's jury made it out
case of willful murder, and fastened
the guilt upon Luff. 1t was in vain
that Luff expressed his horror He de-
clared that some one had entered the
room. Awakened by noise, he
placed his hand on Saxon and felt the
warm blood flowing from the wound.
Springing to his feet he turned on the
light, and when he saw his dripping
hand and the dead body of his friend
he gave frenzied cry for help.
OF course, nobody believed this
story. To make the matter worse, a
small dagger belonging to Luff was
missing from its usual place ON the
mantel. 1t was only too evident that
the murderer had stabbed his friend to
the heart with this weapon, and had
then concealed = The room was
searched, but the agger could not be
found. Doubtless Luff had thrown it
into the street, where it had been pick
ed up by some unknown person.
There is little delay about frontier
justice when victim is wanted, and
in this instance the whole town clam
ored for one. Court was in session,
and Judge Pike shared the general er
citement. He was one of the guests
at the Metropolitan, and the fact that
his room was opposite the one in
which the murder was committed
naturally increased his interest in the
case.
With Judge Pike on the bench there
was little doubt concerning the result.
An indictment was found in no time,
and the trial opened on the second day
of my stay in Silverton.
The defendants attorneys worked for
delay. They hoped that protracted
trial would have the effect of cooling
the hot excitement of the hour.
/ spent the first day of the trial in
the court house, and watched the de-
fendant closely. Luff had a rather
good face. 1t was weak, but not
vicious, and, as l studied him, l found
myself sympathizing with him.
That night l had singular expert
ence. After supper l spent couple
of hours in Judge Pixies room, and it
did not take ME long to come to the
conclusion that his Honor was a very
peculiar man. There was something
called crank, but his nerves were
evidently out of order, and it occurred
to me that he was liable to break down
| at any time.
1t was past midnight when l awoke.
The moonlight streamed into my room,
making every object in it plainly
visible. Feeling thirsty, left my bed
and went behind little screen in one
corner of the room where the wash
stand stood to get drink of water.
While was there hear the door open
softly. This was not surprising, as
the hotel was rude affair, and very
few of the doors were provided with
locks and keys. The thought of Sax.
| on's fate made me a little timid, and
remained quietly behind the screen,
awaiting further developments.
| To my unutterable astonishment,
| who should enter the door but Judge
| Pike
| My first impulse was to speak, but
what / saw silenced me. The Judge
was in his night clothes. One look al
his face convinced me that he wa:
asleep. In his right hand he carried 8
dagger.
What was / to do with this somnam.
bulist? 1t would be dangerous te
| awaken him. / decided to wait an6
watch.
With stealthy steps the Judge ad
| vanced to the side of the bed. He fell
cautiously with his left hand until h,
| felt bunch in the covering, and then
with the rapidity of lightning, h,
drove his dagger into the bedclothe.
up to the hilt He did not tarry
/ second, but quietly vanished from tn,
room. closing the door after him
/ As soon as / could l barricaded tn,
| door with several pieces of furniture
Then l sat down to think the matte
| over.
If the Judge was somnambulist
there was no telling what he might do
Worse than that, there was no tellin,
what he had already done.
thought of the Luff case. Could
be possible that Judge Pike, in one o
his sleep-walking fits, had killed Saxon
1t looked very much like it And tn
dagger Perhaps it was Luff S missin;
weapon
/ Il viii make this thing public
said to myself, and / proceeded t
dress
But soon changed my mind. If,
unsupported testimony would not b
regarded Judge Pike was grave
dignified man, past middle age, and b
was greatly respected by the miners
1t would be folly on my part to tell an
one of my adventure
i The second day of the trial develope
strong case against Luff; as strong
| case as circumstantial evidence coul
make it In the meantime / perfecte
plan which / hoped would lead 3
surprising results
Il Ny roommate that night was Dl
Hinton, one of the oldest and wealth
lest physicians of the place The Doc
tor was popular man. He had bee
Mayor Of Silverton, and he was, mors
over, lifelong friend Of Judge Pix,
l could not have selected better ma
|, | for my purpose
Again the moon flooded the roo1
| with light as on the previous night.
arranged the bedclothes in the shaf
Of human figure, and stationed ml
self behind the screen with DR.. Hintol
X Twelve o'clock came, and 1, but Y
remained undisturbed-